DAVAO CITY – A group of government employees said they will mobilize thousands of government workers to join rallies on Monday as President Benigno Aquino III delivers his last State of the Nation Address (Sona).
In a statement sent to the media today, Ferdinand Gaite, national president of the Confederation for Unity, Advancement and Recognition of Government Employees (COURAGE), said six of its member unions will join the rally outside the Batasang Pambansa.
Gaite said the member unions come from the National Food Authority, National Housing Authority, National Federation of Employees Associations in the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Environment and Natural Resources,Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Agrarian Reform.
The unions from the Water System Employees Response (WATER) and League of Local Government Units Employees (LEAGUE), the federation of unions and associations in the water districts and local governments union would also join them, he said.
Gaite said they want Congress to hear their demand for a national minimum wage of P16,000 monthly since there was no salary increase effected under President Aquino’s term.
“Worse than El Nino, it’s been years since we had a salary adjustment. It is time to break the drought spell for the 1.4 million government employees,” said Gaite.
He added they also want the government to stop the policy of contractualization.
“We will not wait for another Kentex Tragedy to befall for the state workers,” said Gaite.
He said they are alarmed over the increasing number of contractuals in government “who are mainly the first responders, rescuers, relief workers during calamities and natural and man-made disasters.”
“Care for the caregivers and rescue the rescuers. They should be made regular workers, given the necessary benefits and protection to better serve the people,” he said.(davaotoday.com)
